Well, I thought it might be a good time to start a constructive criticism thread!!! I know that sometimes I, personally, have cards that I look at and think, "Hmm - something's missing" but I can never quite figure out what that 'something' might happen to be!!! (And I don't think I'm the only one that this happens to :D) So here is your chance to post a link to one of your cards that needs 'help' and we'll give it some feedback!!

There aren't really any 'rules', but please please PLEASE keep in mind that this is constructive criticism (keyword: constructive!!) Be positive in your replies, and try to give a suggestion as to how the card could be improved (e.g. 'this card could use some brads in the lower corner')

I guess I'll start with a card that I have never liked :D I just don't know what's wrong with it!! It is probably the ugliest card in my gallery (correction: it IS the ugliest card in my gallery!!) but I don't know how to improve it!!! Thoughts?? Gingham Wagon

Anyway have fun, and enjoy the constructive criticism fellow SCS'ers have to offer on your magnificent creations!!!

~Rebekah
<3 <3 <3

mhcolemon

02-13-2010 01:33 PM

Rebekah, it looks like you put a lot of effort into all the coloring...what about a simple sentiment underneath the wagon? That might 'finish it off' and give it that added extra to take it off your less-than-favorite status! I like the cheerful gingham paper!

Mary

ThatGirlThere

02-13-2010 01:59 PM

I really like it...except LOL You are right something is missing, too much white?? Maybe sponge around the white part that is showing?? Not really sure, but otherwise I like it :D

ThatGirlThere

02-13-2010 02:04 PM

Ok I keep flipping back and looking at it. So, IF the wagon was down a bit more then you maybe put a butterfly or bug flying to or away from the flowers, that might have filled up the empty space and balanced it more?? Its weird telling someone things about their card, but its good. I like people to give me ideas about what is missing from my cards. Well the ones I think have something missing, not the one that I dont. HaHa

ThatGirlThere

02-13-2010 02:05 PM

AND P.S.

its by NO means an ugly card!!!!

Ok Im done now LOL

KelliJo

02-13-2010 02:30 PM

What a GREAT Idea this is and Thank you! :-D

The card is lovely with the pink gingham papers and brads, I am thinking maybe Pink brads instead of the bold dark ones and a bit of ribbon in gingham? A skinny-ish sentiment or on a punched shape (like mentioned above) would be the cherry on the top! It IS a great card though...

OK, now off to find a card (have several) to post for some help!

Thanks SO much for this thread!!!!!

OK, here is a stamp I would love to use again... sorry about the lighting! LOL

At first glance, I thought, mmmmmm, maybe there is somethinhg missing. How 'bout just turning the card and set it vertically with the image, it seems like too much empty space on each side of your image. What ya think?

KelliJo

02-13-2010 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodnuff
(Post 16121086)

At first glance, I thought, mmmmmm, maybe there is somethinhg missing. How 'bout just turning the card and set it vertically with the image, it seems like too much empty space on each side of your image. What ya think?

I reclicked on my card to see if it was mine... LOL I think you may be right it is kinda floating..., I really like that stamp and have kept from selling it several times, so flip it around... Thank you!!! Iwill pull it out tonight and revamp that sucker... no shiny CS left but, I'll figure something out! LOL

Thanks SO much!!!!

MrHambo

02-13-2010 06:07 PM

I agree with the floating part. Anchor it with either some more green grass or a copic grey shadow. I like the idea above about sponging too.

I really like the idea of a critique thread. I go to art sites where that's what you mostly do. It's very beneficial for everyone.

Tim

Zacksmeema

02-13-2010 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatGirlThere
(Post 16120576)

I really like it...except LOL You are right something is missing, too much white?? Maybe sponge around the white part that is showing?? Not really sure, but otherwise I like it :D

(Rebekah's card)

I think maybe there is too much white. Is it possible to cut out your image with a smaller diecut so that there's less white? Also, if the wagon is sitting on some type of outdoor "tile" or concrete, would coloring that in help so that it doesn't appear that the wagon is floating?

craftymomto2

02-13-2010 07:11 PM

Rebekah, I agree with Anita. Too much white space. Try a smaller die cut or cut it out in a rectangle shape and add a layer, maybe a sentiment, or ribbon or pink brads? I like the background paper, but I think it takes away from your flower filled wagon, maybe a solid cs?

Rebekah's card,
I would agree that using a smaller die to cut your image, then using the bigger one to add another color layer or distess the edges a little with ink. I like the idea of coloring the "tile", that you might still do without having to take the card apart ( if you still have it) then add a little color at the edges. LOL I guess you would have to be careful in redoing too much to! The suggestions might sound good but not work as well as I have pictured.

sewflake

02-13-2010 07:22 PM

Kelli Jo, I took a look and it seems like something could be added but I did not know where or how or why for that matter.....then I read goodnuff response and that is why, too much "white" space. Good eye goodnuff!

sewflake

02-13-2010 07:28 PM

Craftymom, I wonder if just a different color ribbon would do it. A very nice card, soft and subtle. Maybe no ribbon at all?

sewflake

02-13-2010 07:34 PM

Ok here is one I did that is way over the top with too much going on. I think I still have this card and will redo with any good suggestions.
What do you think?Tie one On

Zacksmeema

02-13-2010 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sewflake
(Post 16122559)

Craftymom, I wonder if just a different color ribbon would do it. A very nice card, soft and subtle. Maybe no ribbon at all?

I agree with Sewflake. Maybe a softer color ribbon or no ribbon. Also, is there a pink diecut behind the green diecut? It's hard to tell in the picture but it looks like there is a pink diecut. If so, it almost blends in with the base of the card. Maybe you could use a different color for that layer that isn't so close in color to the card itself. But I do think this is a very pretty card. And like Sewflake said above, all these suggestions sound good but may not work IRL - lol!

Mary,
I love that you sponged(?) the ink for the bottom layer of the shape, and the colors of everything are so subtle that the ribbon seems a little dark for everything else on this card, so my only thought would be to use a paler shade ribbon to fit in with the other colors?

JBgreendawn

02-13-2010 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sewflake
(Post 16122601)

Ok here is one I did that is way over the top with too much going on. I think I still have this card and will redo with any good suggestions.
What do you think?Tie one On

I think the humor is spot on, and the richness of the colors works beautifully with the theme, (and its late and my eyes are tired) but the green part on the left seems a little "bright" compared to the rest of the card. ( and this could just be me ) but, I'd dirty it up with some distress ink if you have some? (like antique linen or old paper?) to age it a bit? just a thought.

uncbballfan

02-13-2010 09:15 PM

KelliJo, I like the horizontal layout, but I would wrap ribbon around the card (toward the bottom of the image), with a simple knot on the lower left side of the image, and would add 3 of the "itty bitty blings" to the upper right side of the card. This would balance the card and add some visual interest. I love the stamp, your colors and the bling you added.

Sorry, hate to tell you this, I like it simple just the way it is.
heehee Really I do :-D

uncbballfan

02-13-2010 09:28 PM

Sewflake, I would change the blue scalloped layer to another color, still use the "Happy Birthday" sentiment, but use the "Tie One On" and the tie inside the card. The card is elegant looking, but the "Tie One On" and the tie seem to take away from that. Using it on the inside would be an unexpected surprise.

uncbballfan

02-13-2010 09:31 PM

CraftyMom, I would remove the ribbon and the sentiment. The image is a wonderful focal point and says it all. (And use the sentiment inside the card.) The colors are very lovely and feminine.

And one more for you to critique. I love this paper by Basic Grey, but feel I did it an injustice on this card!

lbirus

02-13-2010 10:05 PM

All your cards are great... and fine as they are!!!

If you are interested in kicking them up a knotch:

KelliJo: Wonderful image and the bling is awesome! You just need a piece of ribbon that coordinates to run behind your main image panel and tie on the left side. Perhaps a rich brown satin. Then three brads in the bottom right corner with your burgundy or green would be perfection.

joyfullyhis I agree with the above poster who said there was a bit too much white. I would crop your image closer with an oval nestie or even just trim to a rectange, layer that on black layer with just an 1.8" showing. Then put that layer on top of the white top note die cut. BTW, I would always recommend matching your coloring to your paper... regardless of reality. (So, a pink wagon is needed here, the same pink that's in your paper.) Great bling on your flowers!

craftymomto2 Super sweet! You just need some contrasting ribbon to bring out the colors of your image, so maybe some pretty blue ribbon (the same color as your candles), I'd bring it up behind your green image panel from top to bottom, and tie the bow at the top of your image so the ribbon sits right on top of your adorable bday cake right where the pinkish one is now

sewflake Beautiful paper! I would color the tie image in the same colors as the beautiful Basic Grey paper. Then center the sentiment, "tie one on" rather than having it on top. I'd also put the Happy Birthday on the inside.

These are wonderful! Keep stamping!

lbirus

02-13-2010 10:11 PM

OOps uncbballfan, I didn't see your post (both cards are coming up the same).

A simply yummy card, again, no changes needed.

If you want to pop it more, it looks like you inked around your images, but I would suggest adding another layer behind each of your ice cream panels. So you could add a blue layer behind the cones on the right and left, then put a purple layer behind the center cone, you only need 1/16 of an inch showing. You could also layer the scored pannel on a color from the DP.
Lovin' the sparkle on the cones and on the ribbon!

corrosive69

02-14-2010 05:30 AM

Ok my turn...i need to finish this by Tuesday! I have addede 2 chipboard photo corners on either end...something else seems to be missing though...maybe strings??? lol

Your card is cute:) I would make the die a smaller one and maybe add a strip of cardstock under it to break up the dsp a bit?

Quote:

Originally Posted by joyfullyhis
(Post 16120190)

Well, I thought it might be a good time to start a constructive criticism thread!!! I know that sometimes I, personally, have cards that I look at and think, "Hmm - something's missing" but I can never quite figure out what that 'something' might happen to be!!! (And I don't think I'm the only one that this happens to :D) So here is your chance to post a link to one of your cards that needs 'help' and we'll give it some feedback!!

There aren't really any 'rules', but please please PLEASE keep in mind that this is constructive criticism (keyword: constructive!!) Be positive in your replies, and try to give a suggestion as to how the card could be improved (e.g. 'this card could use some brads in the lower corner')

I guess I'll start with a card that I have never liked :D I just don't know what's wrong with it!! It is probably the ugliest card in my gallery (correction: it IS the ugliest card in my gallery!!) but I don't know how to improve it!!! Thoughts?? Gingham Wagon

Anyway have fun, and enjoy the constructive criticism fellow SCS'ers have to offer on your magnificent creations!!!

~Rebekah
<3 <3 <3

joyfullyhis

02-14-2010 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrosive69
(Post 16123602)

Ok my turn...i need to finish this by Tuesday! I have addede 2 chipboard photo corners on either end...something else seems to be missing though...maybe strings??? lol

are you willing to make the card bigger? my thought was cut it at the score and mount it to some card stock to "frame" it... ( i cannot see the photocorners and that made me wonder if i was looking at the right thing?) but I think this paper and guitar are totally awesome ( my son is very into this) i know i seen an sentiment somewhere (maybe M's that was "you rock my world" (or something like that... and there would be room for a sentiment that was a small circle or a vertical

layers
of words
like
this

in the bottom right hand corner??

just some thoughts.

LaLatty

02-14-2010 08:07 AM

Thank you for starting this thread. I was planning on starting one, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I'm on my iPod right now so I can't look at the cards posted. I'll be sure to come back later and look at everyone's cards.

Ok here is one I did that is way over the top with too much going on. I think I still have this card and will redo with any good suggestions.
What do you think?Tie one On

I think the green square draws you eyes away from the tie, maybe a different color of dp would work better?

craftymomto2

02-14-2010 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joyfullyhis
(Post 16123802)

Hmmm...It seems to me that the background paper is a little too busy, and it detracts from the guitar. Maybe mount the guitar on a more subtle piece of paper??

I agree with joyfullyhis, maybe use solid cs with a strip of the guitar paper running up/down on the right-hand side?

craftymomto2

02-14-2010 09:34 AM

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions on my card, I think just changing the ribbon will help alot. I sponged the top note negative on the back, that is what Anita saw on the card. Don't know if I would do it again, but you don't know until you try, right! :)

mommarocks

02-14-2010 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joyfullyhis
(Post 16120190)

Well, I thought it might be a good time to start a constructive criticism thread!!! I know that sometimes I, personally, have cards that I look at and think, "Hmm - something's missing" but I can never quite figure out what that 'something' might happen to be!!! (And I don't think I'm the only one that this happens to :D) So here is your chance to post a link to one of your cards that needs 'help' and we'll give it some feedback!!

There aren't really any 'rules', but please please PLEASE keep in mind that this is constructive criticism (keyword: constructive!!) Be positive in your replies, and try to give a suggestion as to how the card could be improved (e.g. 'this card could use some brads in the lower corner')

I guess I'll start with a card that I have never liked :D I just don't know what's wrong with it!! It is probably the ugliest card in my gallery (correction: it IS the ugliest card in my gallery!!) but I don't know how to improve it!!! Thoughts?? Gingham Wagon

Anyway have fun, and enjoy the constructive criticism fellow SCS'ers have to offer on your magnificent creations!!!

~Rebekah
<3 <3 <3

i like it. i guess i'm just a pink type of gal, lol. the red ribbon and wagon "throws" me off though, maybe do the ribbon and wagon in another shade of pink???

i like this thread, cause i have some cards in my gallery that i'm still thinking "wth" lol.....when i get done with laundry and stuff i'll have to come back on and find some cards to put on here.....

i couldnt figure out how to do the nice little link thingie, lol...so please forgive me. above is a link to a card that i was trying to stay simple, but i think it's too plain. i'm not even sure i could get this same dp or not.....i did like the idea of the bright colors and was trying to come up with something "simple" enough so my dd could "copy" mommy's card(she loves to do cards with me....).....